Hampton Roads - The local metal scene in Hampton Roads has been in existence for a few decades, grinding out riffs and bass lines for all to enjoy.  The scene has changed over the years as the metal community ebbs and flows.  The places that come and go are fondly missed, but a few things stay the same - the fans, the determination, and keeping it heavy!

That doesn’t just go for the guys in the scene; there are a few girls rocking just as hard.  Kim Moore of Under1Condition is a prime example of a girl that knows how to bring the growling, guttural hardcore sounds that rival the dudes.  Here is a firsthand look into the mind’s eye view of a metal scenester.

33: Tell me about Under1Condition.  How long have you been together?
Kim Moore: It will be six years in April.  I don’t think most people realize that.  The band that put us under their wing to start with was a band called Bully, and Star 33 kinda started out with a little lighter side, and then we just decided we wanted to be heavier.

33: How many songs under your belt?
KM: At least twelve songs all together.  We threw some out with each member, we got a little heavier, and a little heavier.  A full-length CD should be coming out this year, summertime.

33: Is it good to be the girl in the band?
KM: Yeah, I prefer this.  I tried the girl band thing before; it didn’t work.  I would rather work with guys.  Yeah, I get mad at them sometimes and scold them, but some of that goes with being a girl.  Guys have that, too; the male monthly PMS.

33: Does the industry treat you different being a female?
KM: I don’t think so, but you do get more attention.  I sometimes wonder if they like it because, "Oh, you are a girl growling and sound like a guy," or if it’s the music.  I hate wondering if being a girl gets the attention.

33: How did you discover you could growl?
KM: I have been trying to be in a band since I was hatched.  I would say it was in the late 90s before I tried the growling.  I always wanted to sing.  I think I have gotten better and better.  I have learned from everybody - it is watch and learn.  It takes time.  It is like exercise, you have to get used to it.  It took me awhile.  I have to push it a little harder.  You don’t take it from the throat, you take it from the diaphragm.  The Ascender boys gave me a cd a long time ago that helped out called The Zen of Screaming.

33: How long have you been involved in the metal scene around here?
KM: Since the days of Sea of Souls or Lonely Warrior, which David Coleman used to be in that band.  I used to follow them around not as a groupie, but I was just a dreamer thinking I wanted to do this.  When I was a teenager in high school I always wanted to be in a band.

33: What are your feelings on the metal scene in the area.  Is it getting better or worse?
KM: It is a roller coaster.  It goes up and down, believe me.  I have seen some of the best bands around here with two people inside, and those two people were me and Dave Polson, her boyfriend and then one of the local soundmen.  So it seems like a rollercoaster, but it is coming back up.  I am sure it helps with people like me and people like you doing what you are doing, and if everybody was doing these things imagine how great it would be.  It’s like get off of the couch, and go out.  There have been nights I go out at eleven to see the last band playing, and I am always glad I went.  It isn’t just for the show, and the social part it is for the music.  You will see me with the hardcore and the metal bands more because that is what I like.  I get all hypnotized with the music.  A lot of people have more fun with the locals than the national acts.  You get to know the songs and the band members; it just makes it a lot nicer when you go out.  I love it.

33: So you also promote and set up events - what was your favorite?
KM: Oh Lord, I love the fests like Summerfest.  They are always fun.  The toughest part is deciding who plays when and at what times.  No one likes to open, but we all have to.  With booking, I ended up booking at Tonics, and now I moved on to booking for Roger's.  I hope that answers your question - I forgot what you asked me [laughs]. 

33: Where is your favorite place to play around here?
KM: It used to be Gil’s because I loved that place, and it is sad.  Now, I really like Buddha’s because of the set up and the lights and the stage.  The sound is great, and it is a long drive, but I like that crazy place.  There are a lot of good places around here - Roger's, Geared Up, and Buddha’s.  I would probably be really, really rich right now if I hadn’t done the things I did with music, but I do not think it is wasted.  It goes towards the clothes, buying beers, practice, and equipment.  A lot of people are blind and think we make a lot of money doing this, but no, you do not make money.  It is for the music.

33: So I hear you recently have been on the Travel Channel - tell me about that experience.
KM: It was crazy.  We lived in this house in 2000.  I heard a noise like a cannon, so I grabbed my camera and ran out.  I am one of those people that always have a camera near me.  So I ran out to check it out, and a sailboat hit a power line.  The video has been on RealTV, Outrageous Behavior, and all these other shows, and the most recent one was the Travel Channel's When Vacations Attack - it was pretty funny.  I felt dorky reenacting it, but watching it was freakin' hilarious.

33: What is the one condition?
KM: That you have a good time.  I dunno.  Actually, Bobby Sierra back in the day put the name Unconditional when we played Holtfest back 5 years ago.  He is really cool.  He just threw the name out for the flyer, and it didn’t really work for me so I came out with Under1Condition, and if you look that up we are the only ones there.  Sometimes there are ten bands with the same name.

33: One word of advice for the metalheads out there?
KM: In closing, get your butt out.  Everybody is important.  That’s the one thing I preach - be out there because you matter.  Once you are there, you are always thankful you went out.  Don’t lay on the couch; it is not good for you.

Who said good girls can’t throw down with the boys?  Kim proves you can be pretty and still kick ass.  Famous for her local jam nights at her house and her devotion to the scene, Kim Moore is definitely an asset to not only her band, but to all metal lovers in the Hampton Roads area.  She will keep it heavy and keep it going as long as she can growl and throw down!

MySpace.com/Under1Condition

By Photojournalist: Kerri Killion

Kerri Killion has lived in the Hampton Roads area for the majority of her life.  Her curiosity and creativity always had her viewing the world through different eyes.  She was immediately drawn to the artistic side of life.  An artist and writer, Kerri found herself interested in photography at a young age.  Soon viewing the world through her camera became second nature.  In 2007, she started Inner Vision Artistry as a way to show her photography to the world.

Her love for music including punk, metal, psychobilly, and hardcore naturally led her to an interest in band photography.  This journey has now led her to Magazine33.